Freight car hand brake



Jan. 31, 1933. SMALLWQQD 1,895,823

FREIGHT CAR HAND BRAKE Filed-Nov. 26. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l gwoeml oz wiy AlbertA.SmalZa/0wi,

Jan. 31, 1933- A, A. SMALLWOOD FREIGHT CAR HAND BRAKE Filed Nov. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 31, 1933 UNITED STATES ALBERT A. SMALLWOOID, OF MAnrmsBime,wnsrvrnemxa- FREIGHT can rmnn BRAKE Application filed November aejieas. Serial nef4oa s4a.

The invention relates to freight car hand brakes, and more especiallyv to operating mechanism for brakes of the type mentioned.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of mechanism of this character, wherein a brakeman or other attendant can readily and easily operate the brakes ofa freight car, either in applying or releasing said brakes, the mechanism being of novel form to assure perfect working of the brakes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of mechanism of this character, wherein abrakeman standing on the brake stafl' step can effect the instant release of the brakes by actuating a lever on contact of his knee or leg therewith, thus permitting freedom of the hands of said brake for manipulation of the hand wheel of the brakes if necessary for the gradual release through step by step movement or otherwise hand control of said brakes.

A further object of the invention is the provision of mechanism of this character, wherein the locking and releasing means is of novel form to assure ease and control in the working of the brakes.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of mechanism of this character, which is extremely simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in purpose and operation, strong, durable, readily and easily handled and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

Vith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment of said invention, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended. It is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be made in the, invention as come properly within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from the spirit of said invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

In the accompanying drawings: V Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a freight car body showing the brake controlling mechanism constructedf in accord 3 ance withthe invention 1 applied;

FFigure 2 is a'horizontal sectional view showing a detail plan of the locking and releasing mechanism. i r i Figure 3 is a detail elevation of the same.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan.

Figure 5 is a sectionalview on the 11m 1 55 of Figure 4. g

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 61-6 of Figure 4. I i

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken' on the line 7-7 of Figure 5'. I I Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings. I f f 1 Referring to the drawings in-detaih A, designa'tes generally a portion of the end ofia freight car body on which is mounted the brake staff step 10, the latter beingiin the usual position and above this step is across iron 11,- to which is attached the undercut angularly disposed hanger or flange 12-, of a circular casing 13, the latter housinga part of the locking and releasing mechanism of a brake control. I f 1 H j Extending centrally through the casing13, is a brake staff lt, whichhas its upper end protruded above the roof of the car body A, and carries a hand wheel'15, while the lower end of this staff extends through a bracket 16, bolted at 17, to the under side of the 18, of the car body. 1

base sill Confined Within the bracket 16, and made leg operating lever 24, the same being properly disposed so that a brakeman standing on V the step 10, can manipulate said lever by his knee or leg, and also connected with this stub V shaft 23, is a crank arm 25, pivotally supporting a locking pin, 26, the latter working the lever 24, and the beveled contacting faces 33 and 34, of .therecess 32, said pawl or.- dog 31, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawv ings when pressure is applied to the lower- 9 through a suitable opening'27, formed in the bottom of the casing 13. This pin 26, is

adapted to engage in anyone of a series of peripheral notches 28, formed in the underside of disk-like member or gear 29, rotatably fitted within the casing 13, and secured to they brake stafi 14, which'passes centrally through said casing as shown in'Figure 1, of the drawings.

Arranged on the boss 21, and pivoted thereto at 30, is a gravitating latching pawl or dog 31, which is designed by its own weight to become seated in a keeper recess '32, formed in' 15 the lever 24, as is clearly shown in Figurei3,

of the drawings, so that this lever at its upper end will abut said pawl or dog and be held position for the engagement of the pin 26, r in a registering notch 28, in the member or 2 gear 29, thus locking the latter and the brakes whenthe same are released or applied. 3

o By reason of the angular disposition of end of the lever 24 in arighthand direction will be caused to ride upwardly in'the recess 32 and over the upper end of said lever to releasingposition above said upper end of the lever and thus'the pin. 26, during this movement, will be disengaged from-the mem' be'r 'or' gear 29, thereby permitting the turningof thewheel 15, for the hand applicag as will be apparent.

tion or release of the brakes as will be l ly apparent; Y a v I y The casing 13, carries a removable cover plate, 35, sothat access may be had to the interior of the casing should the occasion require; The hand wheel 15, and pulley 19, brake stafi 14,

are removably secured on the What is'claimed is -V r l A carhand brake of the kind described,

comprising astaff having a'hand'wheel, wind;- ing and unwinding means at the lower end of the staff for abrake chain, a casing about the staff at the proper point above-a brake stafi' step, a knee operated lever pivoted to the casing,a, rotarymember secured to the staff and within the casing and having p e-.

ripheral notches, a locking and releasing pin 7 engaging thenotches and actuated by the lever, and a latching element mounted "to gravitate in frictional engagement withthe lever when the latter has moved thepinlto locking position to hold" said lever.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ALBERT 'SMALLWOOD. v 

